Subject: [Tweeters] Skagit Sharp Tailed Sandpipers
Date: Oct 13 17:19:04 2013
From: Doug Schurman - doug at bodyresults.com


Here are a couple of photos from Wylie Game Range this morning of the Sharp-tailed Sandpipers. Not the best for photography. It was either fog or harsh backlighting. Although I can't complain too much about getting a life bird.



Solo STSA

http://www.flickr.com/photos/seattlebirdman/10257863356/



Pair STSA

http://www.flickr.com/photos/seattlebirdman/10257874675/in/photostream/



Doug Schurman

NE Seattle







From: tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu [mailto:tweeters-bounces at mailman1.u.washington.edu] On Behalf Of Doug Schurman
Sent: Sunday, October 13, 2013 2:23 PM
To: 'Tweeters'
Subject: [Tweeters] Skagit Sharp Tailed Sandpipers



This morning Blair Bernson and I were looking for Sharp-tailed Sandpipers.


We first checked Fisher were Marv Breece had 3 yesterday after high tide, Fisher Slough. This morning there were a lot of ducks but only 1 shorebird was seen a Dowitcher. They we headed over to the Skagit Game Range and after quite a bit of looking in the fog Blair spotted one. A Harrier flew by and the birds scattered and then came back. Blair then took off and I stayed hoping for better conditions for pictures. When I refound the STSA I noticed there was a second one. The 2 STSA stayed at the Game Range until about 12:30 when most of the 300 or so Dowitchers and the 2 STSA flew off in a Easterly direction.



It appeared that Fisher Slough was in that direction. I left there to go check it out. Also on the way to the Game Range were friends, Cara and Asta. I called then and said the STSAs just flew but they might be going to Fisher Slough. I drove over there and got there about a minute before them. As they walked up behind me scoping, I spotted one STSA within a large group of Dowitchers. Within another couple minutes Cara spotted a second.



It sure seems like it was the same flock from the Game Range there. This may be very similar to their pattern yesterday when they were seen in the morning by Evan Houston at the game range and then later in the after by Marv Breece at Fisher Slough.



Happy birding,



Doug Schurman

NE Seattle